Many of you know, or have met within the past couple of years, my studio manager, Brian. You may have also seen his framed image hanging in the studio celebrating his “employee of the month” status. Even though he is my ONLY employee, it is a great honor to be awarded this status every month.

However for the past 6 months my two year old niece has been coming to my studio to “work”. She is showing real promise. I don’t know what she is doing when she is on the computer or the phone but she does move boxes around from my lab,

updates my schedule on the white board and, overall, improves the work environment. Her downfalls are she requires CONSTANT supervision, I can’t read her writing and I don’t think she actually DOES any work.

Now that you have some background on Verena-I’d like to introduce you to December’s EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!

Since awarding her this status a few days ago, she has become very lax about her responsibilities and has started calling the studio “her room”. This new generation hitting the work force has a lot to learn about the time and accomplishments required to climb the corporate ladder. I may be creating a monster.

One of MY favorite things about the holiday season is CHRISTMAS CARDS!! I just love going to my mailbox every day and getting that little gift from my friends and family. As many of you know, my family goes ALL OUT with our Christmas card. So I thought I’d put together some a short list of tips to create an amazing holiday card.

Everyone loves to see how your kids have grown and changed. If possible, use a professional photographer (of course) and showcase your family!! In 2011 we created this lenticular card that showcases how much the kids have changed from 2009 when the old Memorial Bridge was taken to 2011 when the new Memorial Bridge was built.

Have fun with it!

This card was inspired by my nieces playing an old game that I played as a little girl. I put my own spin on it by adding the pictures of the family-including our dogs-because as you recall in the first tip, people want to see your family!!

Get nostalgic. The advent calendar card we created reminded me of my childhood Christmases.

Share the big milestones in your life.

Last years card was inspired by my daughter’s favorite childhood book. We took the look and feel of the book and told our own story about sending her off to her first year of college. It still brings tears to my eyes when I read it. I hope you find these tips helpful. You don’t have to go crazy, like we do every year, but keep in mind a few of these tips and I’m sure your holiday card will be one that people look forward to getting year after year.

What word best describes you-ORIGINAL, INSPIRED OR FEARLESS?
INSPIRED
Why did you choose that word? I’m constantly inspired by the world and the art of others.
What is your dream job? Animator

Where is your favorite place on earth? Cuttyhunk Island, MA
What is your favorite candy? Skar Bar
What is your favorite drink? Tea
Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat? Instagram
What is your favorite web site? Tumblr
Who is a person you’d most like to meet? Rebecca Suga
What is your favorite thing in your closet? Art Supplies
What are 3 things you can’t live without? Friends, Pen and Paper, Family
What is your goal after high school? College
What are your hobbies? Art, Guitar
What is the last good book you read? 1984
When you grow up you want to be . . .? An Animator
What are you excited about for you senior year? Taking many Art Classes
How would your friends describe you? A Good Listener

Hometown: Newington, NHNickname: BeccaWhich word from our 2016 tagline best describes you? FEARLESSTell me why you chose that word: All of my actions are sort of “out of the box”, I’m just a courageous person.Favorite candy: Mallow cupsFavorite drink: Shirley TempleYour favorite social media: Tumblr.comDream job: ArchitectUnusual talent that you have: I can speak in a really weird voiceFavorite place on earth: Delta behind my house on Great BayFavorite song: Fourth of JulyPerson I most want to meet: Chris EvansFavorite thing in my closet: My guitarSomething I wish I were better at: Time Management3 things I can’t live without: My softball gear, musical instruments, 22 Rugar RifleSomething I always have in my purse: ChapstickFavorite app on my phone: Autodesk HomestylerI love Alyssa Almeida Duncan Photography because: She embraces who someone truly is.My goal after high school: To travel to at least 3 countries in Europe.My hobbies: Target practice, reading bike rides, nature hikes, photographyFavorite fictional character: LiloThe last good book I read: The ExtraWhen I grow up I want to be: An ArchitectMy favorite dessert: CreamsiclesWhat I’m excited about for my senior year: Just being a senior!!A random fact about me: I have a medium- high tolerance for painMy friends would describe me as: Kind3 things no one knows about me: I own my own gun, I’m super proud of my heritage (Slavik, Czech), I like taking things at a faster pace- busy my schedule.

Prom season is in full swing! Have you started looking for your dress yet? Club Boutique and City Shoes have the latest, greatest and most stylish looks this season. They will take care of you from head to toe!

I recently sat down with Alissa Gold, owner of Club Boutique to discuss prom.When do girls typically start shopping for their prom dress?January. I post on my facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/clubboutiqueandcityshoes, and website, http://clubboutiquecityshoes.com. All girls should be “FRIENDING” us to get a peek at what we have. New gowns are arriving DAILY.

What are this years trends in prom dresses? Any particular color, style, long, short?Definitely two piece – a little belly showing.

Also, “barely there” illusion lace dresses (dress with an illusion mesh tops) or gorgeous beading with a high neck embellished with colorful beads. The bodice with a “bare” back (the backs are not really bare, but the nude mesh makes the dress LOOK backless). FABULOUS.

Color trends? Red, sapphire blue is a close second and third is usually a pale pink. This year’s fabulous color is in the blush, nude or champagne family. GORGEOUS. Almost everyone can wear these colors.

Do you also offer accessories?WE HAVE FANTASTIC ACCESSORIES! – Shoes, of course, from City Shoes, we offer the perfect “bling” to go with your dress. Check out our perfect earrings and bracelets which will enhance the perfection of your dress-we even have a few tiaras!!! We are reasonably prie and have a wide selection to finish off the girls’ outfit.

OK. now you have your dress, shoes and accessories,want to finish off your look? I also sat down with Christine, owner of The Face Café in downtown Portsmouth.

What if one never wears make up and wants a natural look?YOU are the boss! It is our job to create the look YOU want….So just let us know! We usually start off with less and let you tell us if you want more of anything, whether it is lip color, eye shadow, blush….it is YOUR day and we want you to be happy & feel comfortable!

How far in advance do you start booking for prom?The sooner, the better. We offer a complementary make-up lesson & application prior to prom when you purchase your dress from our favorite dress shop Club Boutique! You also will receive 10% Off all retail products, for the lip color & pressed powder you will need to touch up during the evening.

How important is good skin for my prom & photos?A great make up application begins with GREAT SKIN! We are a full service spa and our Teen Facials are only $65 & INCLUDE a complementary make up application! Because Jane Iredale is so healthy, it is safe & recommended to apply after a facial. It has anti-inflamatory properties as well as SPF.I would suggest coming in for a facial before the prom & have a ‘test run’ of your make up for the day of the prom! We have these great color charts with faces & can write down all of the colors that we used…AND you will see what you will look like for the prom, no surprises!! Best yet, your skin will look amazing after our medical grade facial!

What other services may be useful to me on a regular basis as well as the prom?Like I mentioned in #7. we are a Full Service Spa! Facials, Facial & Body Waxing….Lash Extensions, Temporary Lash Strips, Lash Tinting & of course Make Up Applications!I have also hosted private parties for birthdays, women’s events, Girls Night Out-for Wedding Trials or Prom Trials.We have a large space which is GREAT for entertaining! Our back patio & garden area is so beautiful and a space we love to use whenever we can!